Ben has no idea what's going on, but he's never seen Cole this scared. Not even with the nanites. He'd been distraught, then, and frightened to some degree, but he hadn't been panicking like this. Ben can actually feel him trembling, when Cole presses his hand against Ben's mouth, silencing him. He trusts Cole implicitly by this point, and goes silent and still, listening hard.

He hears the footsteps, too. When Cole starts to move, Ben is ready.

Even though he isn't dressed for stealth, Ben can move quietly. They'd had enough training and practice on sneaking up on your enemy when he was a kid that it comes back to him automatically. He moves where Cole pulls him, through a door, watching as Cole pulls it shut after them. His eyes are becoming accustomed to the darkness, but there is nothing familiar about this place. His mind is full of racing questions, but he stays absolutely silent, gripping Cole's hand back.

And there are other ways to communicate. If Cole is not too scared and too distracted to hear him, to sense his feelings and thoughts. Ben tries, through his own confusion and fear, to crystallize a feeling of readiness, of support. He isn't going to let anyone hurt Cole. He thinks it over and over, hoping Cole will sense it. Ben is here with him, he's not alone, and he's going to protect him.

Cole's hand feels so cold. Ben lays his other hand on top of it, as if he could warm Cole up, worry muddling his thoughts. If only he knew what this place was, what was happening, how he could help -